Samarinda International Airport Facts for Kids

The main entrance to Terminal 1 Departures Hall.

Samarinda International Airport, also known as Sungai Siring Airport, is a big airport located in Samarinda, a city in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It's one of the most important airports in East Kalimantan, often called "Kaltim" for short. This airport is a main base, or "hub," for Kaltim Airlines. It's also the busiest airport in the region, meaning lots of people travel through it every day!

This modern airport was built to help more people and planes travel to and from Samarinda. The older airport, called Temindung Airport, was getting too small and couldn't handle all the flights. So, Samarinda International Airport was built to be bigger and better. A company called PT Waskita Karya designed this airport. It even has a special railway system that connects the airport directly to the city of Samarinda, making it easy for travelers to get around.

Why a New Airport Was Needed
- Building the Airport
- Opening Day and First Flights
Airport Features
Images for kids
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Why a New Airport Was Needed

Before Samarinda International Airport opened, the city used Temindung Airport. That airport was located right in the middle of the city. As Samarinda grew, Temindung Airport became very crowded. It also had a short runway, which made it hard for bigger planes to land safely. Because of these problems, a new, larger airport was needed outside the city.

Building the Airport

The construction of Samarinda International Airport was a huge project. It took many years to build. The airport was designed to be modern and efficient. It has a long runway that can handle large airplanes. The terminal building is also very spacious, with plenty of room for passengers. The goal was to create an airport that could serve the region for many years to come.

Opening Day and First Flights

Samarinda International Airport officially opened in 2018. It was a big day for the city! One of the first international airlines to land there was AirAsia. Their flight QZ981 from Malaysia was a special moment, showing that the airport was ready for global travel. Since then, many other airlines have started using the airport, connecting Samarinda to more places.

Airport Features

Samarinda International Airport has several important features that make it a modern travel hub.

Terminal Building

The main terminal building is where passengers check in, go through security, and wait for their flights. It's designed to be comfortable and easy to navigate. Inside, you can find shops, restaurants, and places to relax. The building looks very modern, especially at night when it's all lit up.

Runway and Air Traffic Control

The airport has a long and wide runway. This allows many different types of aircraft, from smaller regional planes to large passenger jets, to take off and land safely. Air traffic controllers work in a special tower, guiding planes and making sure everything runs smoothly in the sky and on the ground.

VVIP Centre

For very important people, like government officials or special guests, there is a dedicated VVIP Centre. This area provides private and comfortable facilities for them to use before or after their flights.

Images for kids

AirAsia (flight QZ981) became the first Malaysian airline to touch down at Samarinda International Airport.
Map showing the land used for Samarinda International Airport's development.
The Samarinda VVIP Centre.
The interior of the terminal at night.
A view of the outside area, including the runway.